Multiyarn laying mechanism for knitting machines



P J. BEERS I 2,213,299

MULIIYARN LAYING MECHANISM FOR-KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 14, 193s '7 Sheets-Sheet i h INVENTOR. wsqa Llfieara ATTORNEY.

Sept. 3, 1940.

J. L. BEERS MULTIYARN LAYING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1935' lllll llllllll i: I II I .Li

H]! II II II II II II II II II II II II II I II III II II II II II II" Wll II NVENTOR.

L'fic'ers ATTORNEY.

J. L. BEERS MULTIYARN LAYING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 14, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 3, 1940. J. BEERS 2,213,299

MULTIYARNV LAYING MECHANISM FOR KNITTiNGMACHINES I Filed June 14, 1935 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 mmum I !U' WWW-Will" g I l l. m

i i IIiH LIMIIJMMIHFHI wmu a ATTORNEY.

2 S P J. L. BEERS I 2,213,299

MULTIYARN LAYING MECHANISM FOR KNITTINGMACHINES Filed June 14, 1935 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jajbfi Z, Beers A'I-TO'RNEY.

Sept. v J. L. BEERSI 2,213,299

MULTIYARN LAYING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES v Filed June 14, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INV ENT OR.

ATTORNEY.

Sept 3, 1940. J. L. BEERSl ,2

' MULTIYARN LAYING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING'MACHINES .Filed June 14, 1935 7 Sheefs-Sheet 7 llll M Q- xQz Q; 9, 4 (9) q A M INVENTOR. f06p72 L Beers ATTORN E Y.

Patented Sept. 3, 1946 MULTIYARN LAYING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Joseph L. Beers, Bloomfield, N. 'J., asslgnor'to .iulius Kayser & Company, New York, N. Y.

Application June 14, 1935, Serial N0. 28,657

31 Claims.

This invention relates to straight bar knitting machines for the manufacture of full fashioned stockings and, more particularly, to multiple yarn-laying mechanism for successively laying or feeding a plurality of yarns in regular predetermined repeated sequence, the subject matter thereof being a continuation in part of my copending application filed November 3, 1933, Serial No. 696,473. v v

My improved yarn-laying mechanism may be employed for the laying of yarns of different weights, materials, colors, or characteristics, but the mechanism is primarily intended for use in laying a plurality of similar silk yarns in predetermined, repeated'sequence so that unavoidable natural irregularities in character or thickness of the silk yarns will be distributed in the knitted fabric, particularly in light weight pure silk stockings, so as to eliminate light and heavy streaks characteristic of full fashioned hosiery knitted from a single yarn.

The primary object of the invention is the incorporation, in a unitary mechanism of a device for selectively operating carrier bars in predetermined repeated sequence, and a locking device that will produce a braking action for the snubbingof the final movement of each carrier bar into. stopped position and locking the same against rebound, these devices being operated and controlled directly from the friction rod and main cam shaft of the knitting machine.

An object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism whereby three (or other desirable number of) separate silk yarns are fed to the bank of needles by a plurality of yarn carriers-preferably three-so manipulated that the separate yarns are fed to the needles automatically in regular repeated sequence, and therefore the loops of succeeding courses are so engaged with each other that the yarn forming each course has its needle loops engaging the sinker loops formed by another yarn, and has its sinker loops engaging the needle loops formed by still another yarn, in such manner as to disperse, distribute and systematically arrange any irregularities such as thicknesses in the natural silk yarn that might otherwise have been produced by the looping togetherin adjacent coursesof the needle and sinker loops of a single yarn in proper timed relation so as to positively prevent improper operation and locking of the carrier bars.

A feature of the invention resides in the use of a novel type of clutch device cooperating with the friction rod of the knitting machine for the accurate operation of the yarn carrier rods and the proper automatic locking thereof against their associated stops.

Another feature of the invention resides in the direct relating of a brake with the driving mechanism and the friction rod and friction box associated therewith whereby the frictional action of the brake is applied just before the frictional pressure of the carrier rod against the narrowing head stop is released, thereby firmly and frictionally holding the carrier bar in position to prevent rebounds.

A further feature of the invention resides in the use of a locking device that is mounted independent of the narrowing head and is not subject to the rebounds or vibratory actions of the narrowing head, thereby eliminating the possibility of broken needles, sharpened sinkers, cut ends, and poor selvedges.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the use of a carrier operating mechanism that is in permanent engagement with all the carrier bars for their instantaneous operation, thereby eliminating the necessity of disengaging the mechanism from one carrier bar and engaging another carrier bar before travel can be imparted to the carrier bar. R

My invention is distinguished in the novel features and method of operation of the braking device, and the mechanism for setting the brake device and the carrier bar operating mechanism into operation.

My invention is further distinguished in the use of a device that will render the invention inoperative whenever desired so that the usual friction box means may be utilized to operate the carrier bars. Y

With these and other objects in view, my invention will be better understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of the mechanism. -'Figure 2 is a top plan view.

Figure 3 is-a vertical sectional view.

Figure 4 is a rear elevation.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detailed view of the ratchet mechanism.

Figure 7 is a sectional view on line 'l--1-of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 of Figure 3.

Figure 10 is an end elevation of one of the gears associated with its toothed rack.

Figure 11 is a sectional view on line Il-ll of Figure 5.

Figure 12 is a sectional view on line l2-|2 of Figure 5.

Figure 13 is a detailed sectional view of the supporting bracket.

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the grouped relative positions of the carrier bars in the selective, successive operation thereof by the yarn laying mechanism.

Figure 15 is a view showing a portion of a fabric having three similar or contrasting threads laid in regular repeated succession by means of this mechanism.

Figure 16 is a detailed sectional view showing parts of the ratchet mechanism in elevation.

The mechanism shown in the drawings is equipped for the laying of three separate yarns or threads which are laid in regular repeated sequence, the first thread being laid as its carrier moves to the right, the second thread being laid as its carrier moves .to the left, and the third thread being laid as its carrier is moved to the right, and the first mentioned thread being again laid as its carrier moves to the left, etc., and this sequence of movements is repeated over and over, without any one carrier making more than one stroke each time it is brought into operation.

The mechanism is operated from the main cam shaft [0 of the machine by a cam II that engages a roller l2 on an arm I3 pivoted at l4 on a bracket l5 mounted on a portion I6 of the usual frame of the knitting machine. The roller I2 is moved away from the shaft ID by the action of the cam I l and the return movement is effected by means of a spring I! anchored to a suitable part of the machine. A shogging movement of the main cam shaft l0 brings a member or idle cam l8 into engagement with the roller l2 so that the mechanism remains inactive until such time as the shaft I9 is again shogged to bring the cam ll back into engagement with the roller l2.

Secured to the arm I3 is a second arm I 9 which is connected to and operates through the medium of a connecting rod 20an arm 2| pivotally mounted on one of the shafts (such as the fashioning shaft) 22 at the rear of the knitting machine. The arm 2| carries a pawl 23 that engages the teeth of a ratchet wheel 24 that is secured to a cam sleeve 26 mounted on said shaft 22.

The yarn laying mechanism is mounted above and is controlled by the said cam sleeve 23 in the manner hereinafter described. A supporting bar 28 is suitably mounted on fixed portions of the framework of the knitting machine and carries a bracket 29 which is secured thereto by means of screws 30 and mounted on the bar 28 between the bracket 29 and a guide member 3| is a longitudinally movable toothed rack 32 that is automatically reciprocated in timed relation to the operation of the machine through the medium of the usual friction bar 33 and main friction 34 actuated in the usual manner from the Coulier mechanism of the machine. The said friction 34 is provided in the usual manner with pivoted fingers 35 adapted to be swung into or out of operative position for the actuation of the usual carrier rods in the well known manner. The main friction 34.also carries a member 36 having a projecting end 31 that engages a recess in one side face of the said rack 32 the rack being held in engagement with the member 36 by means of a set screw 38 and in this manner .the movement of the friction rod 33 is transmitted to the rack 32 which in turn actuates three toothed pinions 39 for the actuation of the three thread carriers embodied in this improved attachment.

Each of the three pinions 39 is freely mounted upon a sleeve, 40 loose on a shaft 41 which latter is mounted, in ball-bearings 42 so as to rotate freely in the said bracket 29 carried on the bar 28. Each pinion 39 is connected by pins 43 to one member 44 of a toothed clutch whose cooperating member 45 is mounted upon the said sleeve 40 so as to rotate freely thereon and so as to'move axially into and out of clutching engagement with the member 44. Secured to one end of each shaft 41 is an externally grooved brake pulley 41 which latter is secured to the shaft by means of a screw 46. Secured to each clutch member 45 and extending through the adjacent brake pulley 41 are guide pins 48 adapted to slide freely through the said pulley as the clutch is engaged or disengaged; and mounted on the ends of the 'pins 48 is a disc 50 secured by nuts 49, while a coil spring 5| is held in compression between said disc 50' and the pulley 41, so that the clutch member 45 is normally held out of engagement with its cooperating member 44. The operation of the clutch members 44 and 45 is effected by means of a lever 52 pivotally mounted on a stub shaft 93 carried by hearing brackets 53 on the said bar 28; the upper end of the lever 52 is provided with an adjustable tappet 54 adapted to engage against the disc 50 so that the clutch member 45 may be moved towards the clutch member 44 for the interconnecting thereofand the driving of the shaft 4|. The lower end of each lever 52 (three in number, one for each shaft 4|) is provided with a roller 56 for engagement with the setof clutch operating cams 51 hereinafter described.

Mounted upon one end of each shaft 41 is a gear 10 which meshes with and actuates a toothed rack II which latter has depending lugs 12 to which is secured one of the usual carrier rods 14 of the machine. and each rack II has also secured thereto a thread carrier finger 15 of any suitable or well known type. The carrier rods 14 are supported and guided in the machine in the usual well known manner and the thread carrier fingers 15 are arranged at suitable positions so as to lay the threads in the desired manner. The racks 1| are arranged side by side and the three gears 10 are located above their respective racks, and the arrangement is such that the actuation of the rack 32 from the main friction 34 of the machine rotates all the pinions 39, but the clutch members are so actuated that only one of the three pinions 39 imparts its rotary motion to the corresponding gear Ill, so that one .of the racks II is actuated in synchronism with the rack 32 while the remaining racks H remain stationary.

The cam sleeve 26 is actuated with a step-bystep motion in proper timed relation to the operation of the machine, and carries three sets of cams 51 for actuating each of the rolls 56 to swing the levers 52 successively thereby bringing into engagement the clutch members of each shaft M in successive operation.

The sets of cam members 51 are spaced ninety degrees apart, as clearly shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, enabling one lever at a time to be moved into position to operatively force the clutch members into engagement, .thereby enabling the operation of the carrier bars one at a time. It

will be noted that the cam members, operatingtheir various levers, are out of axial alignment with each other so as to enable the levers to be successively operated in repeated sequence for the rotation of, the gears "in successive repeated sequence. 4

Associated with each of the pulleys 41 is a brake device designed to snub and stop the retation of a pulley when the carrier bar has reached its final distance of travel, and has contacted its associated stop. As clearly shown in Figure 12, the brake device consists of a pair of centrally pivoted jaws I1 and 18 mounted in the groove of the pulley, and these jaws are swung into tight frictional engagement with the walls of the groove of the pulley when moved about their pivots I9. I

To swing the jaws about their pivots, I provide a wedge-shoe 88 that has one end pivoted to one of the jaws, as indicated at 8|, and its other end shaped into a cam 82 that bears against a roller 83 carried by the other jaw. This shoe-88 is drawn-into brakingposition by a spring 84 that has one end connected to the shoe and its other end connected to a stationary part of the attachment.

Each arm 52 carries an extension 85 carrying an adjustable stop 88 that directly bears against the set screw 81 carried by the shoe. be appreciated that when movement is given to the lever 52, the extension will control the action of the shoe 88, that is to say, when the lever swings in a direction to bring the clutch members into engagement, the extension 85 will depress the shoe 88 for destroying its braking action by allowing the jaws to move out of tight frictional engagement with the walls of the groove of the pulley.

Attention is called to the fact that a single lever 52 and one set of cam members 51 control the operation of both a brake device and a clutch and through the latter, the selective operation of a gear I8.

The tappet 54 consists of a spring pressed plunger 89 that has limited movements relative to the barrel 98 in which it is mounted,

which barrel is formed on one end of the lever 52. The plunger 89 is adapted to come into direct contact with the plate 58. when the lever has been thrown the required distance to bring about engagement of the clutch members.

Each plunger has connected thereto 3, lug 9| arranged in the path of movement of a centrally pivoted control finger 92 mounted directly upon the lever and moved therewith but capable of swinging indepen ntly thereof.

My improved c ntrol includes the stub shaft 93 upon which all the arms 52 are loosely mounted, and further consists of a plurality of manipulators 94 fixed to the shaft 93 to movetherewith.

Thus it will' nipulated by means of a lever 98b rigidly fixed to said shaft at a point adjacent to one of the brackets 53, for instance, by means of set bolts I85, so that by moving the lever, the shaft 93 will be rocked in the directions indicated by the arrow X in Figure 1 of the drawings. Preferably, the rocking movement of the shaft 93 by actuation of the lever 96b is limited so that the shaft may be rocked to two predetermined positionsand held therein. For this purpose, there is pro-- vided a ring I86 mounted fixedly with respect to the lever 98b and shaft 93 and having a recess I81 and stop I88 disposed in relatively spaced relation upon the periphery of said ring. The ring I 86 may be conveniently fixed by slipping the same over the bearing portion of the bracket 53 adjacent said lever and securing said ring to said portion of the bracket by means of set bolts I89. A dog H8 is pivoted to the lever 96b, as shown at III, and is adapted to either engage the recess I81 or to abut the stop I88 depending-upon the position of the lever. In order to release the dog I I8, a handle I I2 is pivotally attached to the lever 95b as indicatedat H3 and provided with a link II4 connected to said dog in the manner shown at II5. A spring H8 having one end connected to the dog II8, as shown at III, and the other end connected to the fixed spring I86 in the manner represented at H8, is provided for the purpose of maintaining'said dog in positive riding ried by the levers and adapted to engage the supporting bar 28.

In view of the fact that one plunger is always in engagement withits plate 58 due to the circumferentialarrangement of the cam members 51, it will be understood that this particular plunger must be retracted the required distance to render the then active gear 18,. inactive. This is accomplished after all levers have been moved into proper alignment with each other and the respective plungers 89 retracted by the swinging of all the control fingers 92. 1

If advisable in practice, an indicator 98 may be used and this indicator is mounted on the shaft 93 and turns thereabout. An extension 99thereon comes into contact with a cam 51, as indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings. With the use of the control, I can readily render the entire attachment inoperative, thereby enabling the usual friction box on a full fashioned knitting machine to be put into operation for the actuation of the thread carrier bars.

In Figure 15, I have illustrated diagrammatically a type of fabric that can be manufactured through the use of the attachment. In this view, the letter A designates a course that is knitted by moving the yarn carrier finger B to the right. After this has been accomplished, the yarn carrier finger B remains stationary, and the yarn carrier finger C' is moved from right to left to form the course D'. The yarn carrier finger C" is then held stationary and the yarn carrier finger E is moved from left to right to form the course F, and this successive sequence of movements of the yarn carrier fingers is repeatedover of the carrier bars as designated by the letter A.

In the relative group position designated by the letter A, the carrier bar J and the carrier bar K are positioned at the right of the knitting machine and the carrier bar L is positioned at the left of the knitting machine. In this relative position of the carrier bars J, K, and L, the yarn F laying mechanism has been adjusted to be in engagement with bar J so that upon operation of the yarn laying mechanism, this carrier bar J will be moved in the direction of the arrow to occupy a position at the left of the machine, as shown in the group arrangement of the bars designated by the letter B.

In the group arrangement B, the carrier bar L is next engaged by the yarn laying mechanism and moved to the right, as indicated by the arrow, so as to finally occupy a position at the right of the knitting machine, as shown in the group arrangement of the bars, designated by the letter 0.

In the group arrangement C, the carrier bar K is next engaged by the yarn laying mechanism for movement to the left, as indicated by the arrow, so as to finally occupy a position to the left of the knitting machine, as shown in the group arrangement designated by the letter D.

' in the group arrangement D, the yarn laying mechanism is in engagement with the bar J for moving the same to its position at the right of the machine, as indicated by the arrow so that the same will finally occupy a position at the right of the machine, as indicated in the group arrangement of the bars designated by the letter E.

In the group arrangement E, the carrier bar L is engaged by the yarn laying mechanism and is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow so as to finally assume a position at the left of the machine, as illustrated in the group arrangement F. The yarn laying mechanism then moves into engagement with the carrier bar K for moving the same in the direction of the arrow so as to finally assume a position at the right of the machine, as indicated in the group arrangement indicated-by the letter G, this latter arrangement corresponding with group arrangement A.

This cycle of operation is repeated over and over again, with the result that a single course of loops is formed from an independent yarn each time the knitting machine performs a knitting operation. Thus it will be appreciated that there is a continuous repeated successive operation of the carrier bars without an idle movement of any one of the bars.

The fact that the invention operates without loss of production due to idle course movement of the carrier bars. is a very desirable feature of the invention, as low production cost is of great importance.

In the operation of the carrier bars in the manner just described for the production of the type of fabric shown in Figure 15, the knitting machine is set into operation and in the rotation of the shaft 22 by the ratchet mechanism operating off the main cam shaft Hi, the sleeve 26 is turned and-with it the sets of cam members 51. As these sets of cam members are moved in their respective circular path, they swing the levers 52 one at a time in repeated succession and in the swinging oi' the levers 52 the clutch members are successively thrown into locked position for successively operating the respective shafts 4| and thereby successively operating gears 10 for the successive repeated operation of the carrier bars and simultaneously with the operation of each gear Hi, the remaining gears 10 are held against rotation by the application of their associated brake devices.

As each carrier bar reaches its position of rest, the frictional action of the friction rod forces the carrier bar against the stop and before the carrier bar is relieved of this frictional pressure, a brake device has been set into operation for braking and locking the carrier bar against rebound. This is a very important feature of the invention, as this enables the proper timing of the locking of the bar with its final movement under frictional pressure.

When a carrier bar has been brought to rest and same has been relieved of the turning action of its associated pinion due to the swing of the plunger 89 away from the plate 50, the extension 85 swings away from the shoe lll thereby enabling the spring 84 to retract and draw the shoe into braking engagement with the jaws of the brake device, thereby enabling the Jaws to grip the pulley and lock the carrier bar against its stop due to the fact that the pinion is prevented from turning due to the engagement of the brake with the pulley.

Through the use of the control device heretofore described, it is possible to render the entire mechanism inoperative insofar as the operation of the carrier bars is concerned, thereby enabling the carrier bars to be operated in the usual manner.

To properly fix the position of the mechanism on a full fashioned knitting machine, the bar 28 has secured thereto a clamp llll, which is in turn bolted to the narrowing head guide shaft I02 of the knitting machine, as per the showing in Figure 13.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Yarn-laying mechanism for a straight bar hosiery machine having a "main friction", comprising a group of arms carrying individual yarns, rotary means for imparting a yam-laying movement to each arm, reciprocating means actuated by the "main friction" of the machine for imparting rotary movement to said rotary means, selecting means for connecting the reciprocating and rotary means to impart movement to the said arms in sequence, and control means for rendering said rotary means entirely inactive in its operation of said arms. 1

2. Yam-laying mechanism for a straight bar hosiery machine having a main friction", comprising a reciprocating member actuated by the main friction" of the machine, a plurality of rotary members actuated by said reciprocating member, a plurality of yarn-carriers, positive clutch members connecting said carriers with said rotary members, means for selectively actuating said clutch members to cause transmission of the motion of each rotary member to its yamcarrier in turn, and control means for rendering said rotary means entirely inactive in its operation of said clutch members.

3. Yarn-laying mechanism for a straight bar hosiery machine having a main cam shaft and a main friction, comprising a plurality of yarn carriers, means for actuating said carriers in re- 60 hosiery machine having a main friction, comprising a group of yarn-carrying arms, rotary means for imparting a yarn-laying movement to peated sequence from the said main friction, friction brake mechanism operated directly off said main cam shaft for holding each carrier in position after completion of its yarn laying movement, and a manually operated device for rendering said means inoperative in its operation of said carriers. I

4. Yarn-laying mechanism for a straight bar hosiery machine, comprising a plurality of rotary members, a yarn-laying device actuated by each rotary member, a reciprocating member for the actuation of all said rotary members and positive clutch and friction brake mechanism for imparting the movement of each one of the said rotary members to a yam-laying device and for retaining the other rotary members at rest, means for selectively operating the clutch and brake mechanism to insure operation of the yarn-laying devices in proper sequence, and means for rendering said clutch and brake mechanisms inactive in their operation of said yarn-laying devices.

5. Yarn-laying mechanism for, straight bar hosiery machines comprising a single fixed element, a plurality of rotary members on said fixed element, a plurality of yarn-laying members actuated by the rotary members, a friction rod for actuating the rotary members, a single mechanism for controlling the actuation of the rotary members from the friction rod to actuate the yam-laying members in sequence, and a manually controlled device for rendering said rotary members inactive in their operation of said yarnlaying members.

6. Yam-laying mechanism for straight bar hosiery machines, comprising rotary cam mach anism, a plurality of positive clutch and friction brake devices actuated by said mechanism, rotary means cooperating with the clutch and brake devices, means for actuating said rotary means, a plurality of yarn carriers actuated thereby and in a sequence determined by the actuation of the clutch and brake devices, and means for manually rendering said clutch and brake devices inactive in the actuation of said yarn carriers.

7. Yam-laying mechanism for straight bar hosiery machines having a main friction, comprising a rotary sleeve, a plurality of cams carried by said sleeve, a plurality of clutches and brakes actuated thereby, a plurality of rotary members, reciprocating means for simultaneously actuating said rotary members from the "main friction of the machine, a plurality of yarn-carriers actuated by said rotary members, means for ensuring actuation of each yarn carrier in a sequence determined by the actuation of the clutches and brakes, and means for rendering said rotary members inactive in their operation of said yarn carriers.

8. Yam-laying mechanism for a straight bar said arms, recipr ating means connected to the main friction of the machine for imparting .movement to said rotary means, selecting means.

for connecting the reciprocating and rotary means to impart movement to the said arms in sequence, rotary friction brake mechanism for locking each yarn-carrying arm on the completion of its movement, and means for rendering said rotary members and said rotary friction brake mechanism inactive thereby allowing the free movement of the yarn carrier arms. I

9. Yarn-laying mechanism for straight bar hosiery machines having a "main friction, comprising a toothed reciprocating member, means connecting said member directly to the main friction of the machine, a plurality of rotary toothed members actuated by said reciprocating member, a plurality of yam-carriers, clutch means connecting said carriers with said rotary members, cam means for actuating said clutch means selectively to cause transmission of the motion of each rotary member to its yarn-carrier in turn, and means for rendering said rotary members and said clutch means entirely inactive in their operation of said yarn carriers.

, 10. Yarn-laying mechanism for a straight bar hosiery machine having a main friction, comprising a plurality of toothed rotary members, a yarn-laying member actuated by each rotary member, a toothed reciprocating member for the actuation of all said rotary members, means for the positive connection of said reciprocating member with the "main friction of the machine,

rotary clutch and brake mechanism for transmitting the movement of one of said rotary members to a yam-laying member and for retaining the other yam-laying members at rest, cam means forselectively operating the clutch and brake mechanism to insure operation of the yam-laying members in proper sequence, and manually adjusted means for rendering said rotary members and said clutch and brake mechanisms inactive in their operation of the yarn laying members.

11. Yam-laying mechanism for straight bar hosiery machines having a main friction", comprising a plurality of rotary members, a plurality of yam-laying members actuated by the rotary members, reciprocating means connected to the main friction" of the machine for actuating the rotary members, cam mechanism, means. for imparting step-by-step motion to said cam mechanism for controlling the actuation of the rotary members from the reciprocating member to actu-- ate, the yam-laying members in sequence, and means for rendering said rotary members, cam mechanism and saidsecond members all inactive in their operation of the yarn-laying members.

12. Yarn-laying mechanism for straight bar hosiery machines, comprising rotary cam mechanism, means for imparting step-by-step motion thereto, a plurality of positive clutch and friction brake devices actuated by said mechanism, rotary means cooperating with the clutch and brake devices, a reciprocating rack for actuating said w tary means, a plurality of thread-carriers actuated thereby and in a sequence determined by the actuation ofthe clutch and brake devices, and mechanism for rendering said clutch devices inactive in their operation of the rotary means and adapted to render said brake devices inactive simultaneously therewith.

13. Yarn-laying mechanism for straight bar hosiery machines, comprising a plurality of sets of rotary cams, a plurality of positive rotary clutches and friction brakes successively actuated by said cams, a plurality of rotary toothed members, a reciprocating rack for simultaneously opprising a group of yarn-carrying arms, a rack and pinion for imparting a yarn-laying movement to each arm, reciprocating means for imparting movement to said pinions, means for connecting said reciprocating means with the main friction of the machine, and a device for rendering all of said rack and pinions inactive in their operation of the said yarn carrier arms.

' 15. Yarn-laying mechanism for a straight bar hosiery machine, comprising a reciprocating member, a plurality of rotary members actuated by said reciprocating member, a plurality of racks and pinions, a yarn-carrier on each of said racks, positive clutch members connecting said pinions with said rotary members, means for actuating said clutch members to cause transmission of the motion of each rotary member to its corresponding rack in turn, and means controlling the operation of said clutch members for the rendering of said rotary members inactive in their operation of each yarn carrier rack.

16. Yam-laying mechanism for a straight bar hosiery machine including a main cam shaft and a main friction comprising a plurality of yarncarriers, means for actuating said carriers in repeated sequence from said main friction, a friction brake operatively associated with said means for holding certain carriers in their position of rest during theyarn-laying movement of an associated carrier, cam and spring means operated directlyofl said main cam shaft for applying and releasing the brakes, and means for rendering said first means and said friction brakes inoperative in their control of the operation of the yarncarriers.

1'7. Yam-laying mechanism for a straight bar hosiery machine having a main friction, comprising a plurality of rotary members, yarn-laying means including a toothed rack actuated by each rotary member, a reciprocating toothed rack connected to the main friction of the machine for the actuation of all said rotary members, and a toothed clutch for imparting movement to each of the yarn-laying, means, means for retaining the other rotary members at rest, means for selectively operating the clutches to insure operation of the yarn-laying members in proper se-.

quence, and means for rendering all of said rotary members inactive in their operation of the yarn-laying means.

18. Yam-laying mechanism for straight bar hosiery machines having a main friction", comprising a plurality of rotary members, a plurality of yarn-laying members actuated by the rotary members, reciprocating means connected to the mam friction of the machine for actuating the rotary members, clutches for controlling the actuation of the rotary members from the reciprocating member to actuate the yam-laying members in sequence, spring and cam-means for holding each clutch in turn in its operative position, and a device for rendering said rotary members inactive in their operation of the yarn laying members.

19. Yarn-laying mechanism for straight bar hosiery machines having a main friction, comprising rotary cam mechanism, a plurality of toothed clutches and friction brake devices actuated by said cam mechanism, rotary means'cooperating with the clutches and brake devices, reciprocating means directly attached to the main friction of the machine for actuating said rotary means, a plurality of thread carriers actuated by said rotary means in a regular sequence determined by the actuation of the clutches and inactive in their control of the operation of said rotary means.

20. In combination with the yarn-carrier bars, friction rod, and main cam shaft of a full fashioned hosiery knitting machine, actuating mechanism for said carrier bars comprising: means including rack and pinion drive connection for each carrier bar and means operatively connected to said first means and operated directly off said main cam shaft for individually and selectively connecting the rack and pinion connection of each carrier bar with said friction bar, and mechanism for preventing said first means from operating the carrier bars.

21. In combination with the yarn-carrier bars, friction rod, and main cam shaft of a full fashioned hosiery knitting machine, actuating mechanism for said carrier bars comprising: means for individually operating said carrier bars including a rack and pinion drive connection for each carrier bar, means operated directly off said main cam shaft for individually and selectively connecting the rack and pinion connection of each carrier bar with said friction bar through said first means, locking devices for all of said rack and pinion drive connections individually manipulated directly from said main cam shaft, and a manually controlled device for rendering said first means and said locking devices inactive in-their control of said carrier bars.

22. In combination with the yarn-carrier bars, friction rod, and main cam shaft of a full fashioned hosiery knitting machine, actuating mechanism'for said carrier bars comprising: a rack connected to each carrier bar, a pinion associated with each rack, a shaft for each pinion, a drive gear loose on each shaft and in permanent gear connection with said friction rod, a clutch device for each drive gear for connecting and disconnecting said drive gear from its associated shaft, a manipulating element for each clutch device, a cam device for each element for the latters periodic actuation, a ratchet wheel connected to all of said cam devices, a pawl for the operation thereof, link mechanism for operating said pawl, a cam on said main cam shaft for the direct periodic operation of said link mechanism, and a manually controlled device for preventing each of said pinions from operating its associated rack.

' 23. In combination with the yarn-carrier bars, friction rod, and main cam shaft of a full fashioned hosiery knitting machine, actuating mechanism for said carrier bars comprising: a rack connected to each carrier bar; a pinion associated with each rack bar; a shaft for each pinion; a drive gear loose on each shaft and in permanent gear connection with said friction rod; a clutch device for each drive gear for connecting and disconnecting said drive gear from its associated shaft; a. manipulating element for each clutch device; a cam device for each element for the latters periodic actuation; a ratchet wheel connected to all of said cam devices; a pawl for the operation thereof; link mechanism for operating said pawl; a cam on said main cam shaft for the direct, periodic operating of said link mechanism; an individual brake device for each drive gear and controlled from said cam devices, and means adapted to render all of said brake devices inactive simultaneously with the rendering of all of said pinions inactive in their operation of their associated racks.

24. In combination with the main cam shaft and carrier bars of a full fashioned hosiery knitting machine, a combination driving and locking device having a direct connection with each carrier bar and acting at times to drive the associated carrier bar, and acting at other times to lock the associated carrier bar against movement, means for controlling the action of said devices directly from said main cam shaft, and means for rendering all of said devices inactive in their control of the carrier bars.

25. In combination with the yarn carrier bars and a power device of a full fashioned hosiery knitting machine, rotary driving and locking elements directly connected with said carrier'bars and mechanism directly operated by said power device and operatively associated with said elements, for selectively releasing and driving one of said carrier bars and locking the remaining carrier bars against movement, and a device for simultaneously rendering all of said driving and locking elements inactive in their locking of the carrier bars.

26. In combination with the yarn carrier bars, friction device and main cam shaft of a full fashioned hosiery knitting v machine, combination driving and locking mechanism for said carrier bars operated through said friction device and controlled direct from said main cam shaft, and means for manually rendering said mechanism inactive in its operation by the friction device and its control by the main cam shaft.

27. In combination with a carrier bar and a power device of a full fashioned hosiery knitting machine, means operable at times to drive the carrier bar and operable at other times to lock said carrier bar against movement, mechanism operated directly by said power device for selectively operating said means to either drive said carrier bar or lock the same, and means for manually rendering said first means inoperative in relation to said mechanism.

28. In combination with the yarn carrier bars, friction rod, and main cam shaft of a full fash ioned hosiery knitting machine, actuating mechanism for said carrier bars comprising: a rack connected to each bar, a pinion associated with each rack bar, a shaft for each pinion, a drive gear loose on each shaft and in permanent gear connection with said friction rod; a clutch device for each drive gear for connecting and disconnecting said drive gear from its associated shaft; a manipulating element for each clutch device; an individual brake device for each drive gear; a single set of cam elements for the Joint operation of said elements and said brake devices; a ratchet wheel connected to said set of cam devices; a pawl for the operation thereof; link mechanism for operating said pawl; a cam on said main cam shaft for the direct periodic operation of said link mechanism, and means manually controlled for rendering all of said clutch devices and brake devices inactive.

29.,Yarn-laying mechanism for straight bar hosiery machines comprising rotary cam mechanism, a plurality of positive clutches and frictional brake devices actuated by said mechanism; rotary means cooperating with the clutches and brake devices; means for actuating said rotary means; a plurality of yarn carriers actuated thereby and in a sequence determined by the actuation of the clutches and brake devices, said rotary cam mechanism including a plurality of movable levers for setting said clutches and brake devices selectively into and out of operation, and a manually controlled device for throwing all of said levers in a position to render all of said clutches and brake devices inactive.

30. Yarn-laying mechanism for straight bar hosiery machines comprising rotary cam mechanism; a plurality of positive clutches and frictional brake devices actuated by said mechanism; rotary means cooperating with the clutches and brake devices; means for actuating said rotary means; a plurality of yarn carriers actuated thereby and in a sequence determined by the actuation of the clutches and brake devices, said rotary cam mechanism including a plurality of movable levers for setting said clutches and brake devices selectively into and out of operation; a manually controlled device for throwing all of said levers in a position to render all of said clutches and brake devices inactive, said device including a shaft upon which all of said levers are swingingly mounted; a hand lever to give turning movements to the shaft; and a plurality of manipulatorssecured to the shaft and adapted to have operative engagement with the levers in the turning of the shaft.

31. In combination with the yarn carrier bars and main friction of a flat knitting machine, rotary members, means for establishing selective drive connections between said rotary members and said carrier bars, means travelling with and operated by said main friction for the operation of said rotary members, and control means for rendering said rotary members entirely inactive in their operation of said carrier bars.

JOSEPH L. BEERS. 

